Memorial Day

It has always been tradition in my family to go and decorate the graves of our ancestors on Memorial Day.  I remember going with my Grandma and Grandpa Culley each year to Tooele to decorate the graves of their parents, grandparents, siblings and aunt.  Now we visit the graves of them and our other grandparents.  On our drive to the cemeteries, we read in family books stories about the people of whom we are visiting.  We have come to enjoy this tradition with our kids very much.

 Grandma and Grandpa White

Grandma and Grandpa Haacke

 

Kayden drew his Great Grandpa Haacke a picture of a baseball helmet.  Grandpa played and loved baseball.  He was also the first known person to invent and wear a baseball helmet and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Grandma and Grandpa Culley

 

Sadly we added a new grave to visit this year.  Our sweet baby nephew and cousin Jimmer. 

We didn't make it up to Kaysville to see Grandma and Grandpa Timothy this year but love and honor them all the same.

Dance Festival 2017

There are a few traditions that I look forward to at the end of every school year.  The dance festival is one of them.  I am hoping to upload some videos of the boys showing their moves, but I will have to wait for instructions on that.  So hopefully stay tuned.  Until now here are some highlights:

Kayden's dance was a boys vs. girls dance.  He was relieved that he didn't have to dance with any girls this year.  He is pictured above on the back row wearing the bright yellow shirt.

 That is one cool dude.

This was Josh's last dance festival since he is in sixth grade this year and leaving elementary school.  His dance was a compilation of Michael Jackson songs. 

Josh with his good friend Eli enjoying their last dance festival.

6th Grade Graduation

Alas, my third child is growing-up and has graduated from the sixth grade.  He is ready for Jr High.  He had a great friends and teachers at the Elementary School and has loved his time there.

 Josh was the very last person in the whole sixth grade to graduate.  (Got to love alphabetical order.)   He waited in a long line and patiently awaited his turn.

 Receiving his diploma  and walking across the stage with his cute pictures showing up on the screen.

 Post Graduate.

 Josh with a group of kids from the neighborhood.  They were in the same class this year.

 Josh with his teacher Mr. Smith.  It was a grate year!

Man he looks smart and ready for 7th grade!  Congratulations Josh!

Kayden is MVP

Kayden had a turn being his baseball team's MVP.  He had some great hits and scoring this night.  Way to go Kayden!

Triumphant Award

If there is an award to be had, Kayden wants it.  He worked hard this year and earned the third grade Triumphant Award.  There were several things he had to pass of and complete to earn the award--one of which was passing off all his timetables!

 Kayden receiving his award at the awards assembly.  Super proud of my boy!

Kayden loved his teacher, Mrs. Laycock, this year.  She was great and Kayden learned a lot!

Happy Mother's Day To Me

My family is so thoughtful.  They really made my Mother's Day special. They boys surprised me in the morning by giving me a bouquet of balloons along with some of my favorite things--Caffeine Free Diet Coke and granola.

The best part was the group hug that I got from them.

After church, we went on a walk down in the hallow.  When we arrived home, they surprised me with Dole Whip Ice Cream.  I fell in love with the stuff while we were in Hawaii.  Jeremy purchased me a soft serve ice cream maker and Dole Whip mix so we can enjoy it at home.

They even served mine up in a fancy pineapple shell.  It was a very thoughtful gift and a great Mother's Day!

Jaxon's Eagle Court of Honor

We were excited to celebrate Jaxon receiving his Eagle Scout award.  It was a great evening.  Here are a few highlights of the night:

 Jaxon with the flag of cupcakes that we served after the ceremony.  Jaxon was awarded his Eagle  with three other young men in our ward.

 We had a live eagle presentation.  It was really cool and Jaxon was able to have his picture taken with the eagle.

 The boys were asked to award a mentor pin to someone who had helped them through scouting and was an example to them.  One of the boys, Ryan, awarded his mentor pin to Jeremy.  Jeremy was very touched.  Jaxon also awarded his mentor pin to Jeremy.  Jeremy has been the scout master for almost 6 years and has mentored many boys.

 Proud of our boy!

 Jaxon has a great group of friends that came to support him.
 
 

 Jaxon received an Eagle Statue from his Grandma and Grandpa Haacke and he also received an iPhone 6s from us.  (Seeing how he is close to his 16th birthday, we gave him a phone a little early.)

Josh is MVP

Josh's baseball team presents the game ball to one player that stands out after every game.

He was selected as MVP for excellent base running and scoring.  He is always an MVP in my book!

UPDATE (5/18/2017):
Josh was selected MVP again for another one of his games!  He had amazing fielding skills.  He got a few grounders while playing second and third bases and got the throw to first for the out.  He also caught a foul fly ball while playing third base.  He had a great game!

Even the kids on his team started chanting, "MVP! MVP!" after Josh caught the fly ball.  He has had a fun season!

Jaxon's Evening of Excellence

Hard to believe the school year is wrapping up.  The Jr High has a evening where they recognize all the 9th grade students who have maintained good grades throughout all of their Jr. High experience.  Jaxon was recognized that night.  It was Sunday dress, so he decided to wear his Polynesian skirt.

When Jaxon was presented with his award, because of what he was wearing the principal announced, "A very confident Jaxon White maintained a 3.7 or higher grade point average."  That is Jaxon to the tee.  He is one confident kid.

 Jaxon with his award next to the Mountain Ridge infamous Husky.

We only had a few remarks/questions about his skirt on the way to the car.